Photoreactive hair treatment apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus which enables the styling of a desired shape, the prevention of damages to hair and the treatment of hair to be glossy and resilient, and can reduce a treatment time of an agent used for treating hair. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus comprises: a light source for emitting light; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the light source, wherein the light source is arranged to emit the light toward hair onto which a hair treating agent is applied. As such, the present invention has the effect of enhancing hair treatment efficiency by reducing the acting time in which the hair treating agent has effects on the hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus, and more particularly to a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus which emits light to hair coated with a hair treatment agent for perm, dyeing, and nutrition care, enhancing hair treatment efficiency.

Related Art

In order to form a desired hairstyle shape, prevent damages to hair, and maintain hair glossy and resilient, hair may be treated such as perming, dyeing, and nutrition care. Among those hair treatments, perm is one of the most common hair treatments used to make a desired hair styling shape.

The widely-used hair perms are a normal perm and a heat perm.

The Normal perm is a hair perm for making hair to be curled by braking cysteine bonds of the hair structure. The normal perm is conducted in a manner in which hair coated with a formula, rolled around rods, and covered by a cap, and then goes through heat treatment with 35 to 39° C., and a neutralizer solution is applied to the hair rolled around the rods and left for a while.

Unlike the normal perm for making hair to be curled only using cysteine bonds, the heat perm is a hair per using hydrogen bonds which affects a hair shape most. The heat perm is conducted in a manner in which a formula is applied to the hair and rinsed after heat treatment or natural drying and then the hair is rolled around rods and goes through treatment by transferring heat, wherein the heat transferred to the hair is about 100 to 140° C. In the heat perm, the hair is unrolled from the rods and rolled again around normal rods or curl pins and then go through neutralization.

However, the normal perm may cause the hair to be tangled and dry because the normal perm is conducted with wet hair, and the heat perm may cause the hair to be dry and less resilient since the heat perm is conducted using heat.

Meanwhile, in the case of other hair treatments such as hair dying and hair nutrition care in addition to hair perm, a hair dying agent, a hair nutrient agent, and the like are applied to hair and left until effects of the corresponding agents evidently act on the hair.

As such, such hair treatments conventionally relies on the effects of the agents, and thus, hair treatment efficiency is reduced and it takes long time until the effects of the agents evidently act on hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus which enables the styling of a desired shape, prevention of damages to hair, and treatment of hair to be glossy and resilient, and which can reduce a treatment time of an agent used for treating hair.

In one general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus including a light source configured to emit light, and a power supply unit configured to supply power to the light source, and the light source may be disposed to emit the light toward hair coated with a hair treating agent.

The hair treating agent may contain a photocatalyst.

The hair treating agent contains a perm agent.

The hair treating agent may contain a perm agent and a photocatalyst.

The hair treating agent may contain a hair dyeing agent.

The hair treating agent may contain a photocatalyst and a hair dyeing agent.

The hair treating agent may contain a hair nutrient agent.

The hair treating agent may contain a photocatalyst and a hair nutrient agent.

The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus may further include a light diffusion unit disposed on an optical path and configured to uniformly diffuse the light.

The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of the present invention may enable a desired hairstyle shape, prevent damages to hair, and treats hair to be glossy and resilient.

In addition, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of the present invention may reduce the acting time in which the hair treating agent has effects on the hair, thereby enhancing hair treatment efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 2 and 3 is a cross-sectional view of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a use example of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a use example of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a use example of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a use example of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a ninth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Terms or words used in the specification and claims should not be construed as limited to a lexical meaning, and should be understood as appropriate notions by the inventor based on that he or she is able to define terms to describe her invention in the best way to be seen by others. Therefore, embodiments and drawings described herein are simply exemplary and not exhaustive, and it will be understood that various modifications and equivalents may be made to take the place of the embodiments.

Hereinafter, a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 is a cross-sectional view of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a light source 110, a power supply unit 130, a light diffusion unit 150, and a light reflection unit 170.

The light source 110 emits light. The light emitted from the light source 110 may be any one of near infrared light having a wavelength range of about 750 to 3000, a visible light having a wavelength range of about 380 to 780 nm, and infrared light having a wavelength range of about 10 to 397 nm. As the light source 110, a low-power high-efficiency Light Emitting Diode (LED) may be used.

The power supply unit 130 supplies power to the power source 110. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 may be used wirelessly or wirely. That is, in order to wirelessly use the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100, the power supply unit 130 may include a battery 131, a circuit board 133, and a power switch 135. A charge/discharge circuit of the battery 131 and a driver for driving the light source 110 may be mounted on the circuit board 133. In order to use the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus wirely, the power supply unit 130 may include a connector 137, and a power cable 139 drawn from an external power source (not shown) may be connected to the connector 137. In the case of using the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 wirelessly, a charge cable (not shown) for charging the battery 131, instead of the power cable 139 for connection to the external power source, may be connected to the connector 137.

Meanwhile, the light diffusion unit 140 may be in a cylindrical shape. The light diffusion unit 150 uniformly diffuses light emitted from the light source 110. The light diffusion unit 150 may be formed of polycarbonate (PC) having properties such as impact resistance, heat resistance, weather resistance, self-extinguishing property, transparency, etc.

The light source 110 and the power supply unit 130 may be installed in the light diffusion unit 150. That is, a space for installation of the light source 110, the battery 131, and the circuit board 133 may be formed in the cylindrical light diffusion unit 150. The light source 110 may be disposed in the light diffusion unit 150 such that the light source 110 is disposed radially from the center of the light diffusion unit 150 so as to emit light in 360 degrees around the center of the light diffusion unit 150.

The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 may emit light from the light source 110, and a predetermined treatment may be conducted as hair H rolled around the outer side surface of the light diffusion unit 150 reacts to the light.

In this case, a user may select a component to be contained in a hair treating agent according to a hair treatment purpose. The hair treating agent may contain at least one of a photocatalyst, a perm agent, a hair dyeing agent, or a hair nutrient agent.

That is, the hair treating agent may include the photocatalyst. The biggest advantageous effect of the photocatalyst compared to other catalysts is that reaction available only at high temperature is allowed to be occur even at room temperature. Basically, a predetermined amount of activation energy is required for any reaction. A catalyst reduces such an amount of activation energy, thereby helping a certain reaction to occur quickly. The photocatalyst plays this role efficiently so that reaction available only at high temperature is allowed to occur at room temperature. In addition, another advantageous effect of the catalyst is a capability of causing a reaction to stop at a desired time. If a general catalyst is used, a reagent is all consumed, so it is almost not possible to stop in the middle of reaction until the reaction is not possible to occur. However, if the photocatalyst is used, it is possible to stop in the middle of reaction simply by not supplying light any longer, and thus, it is useful.

The photocatalyst is catalyst that causes chemical reaction in response to introduction of light to bring effects of deodorization, anti-bacteria, antifouling, and the like. Organic materials attached to the surface of the photocatalyst cause reaction between water and oxide and generates dioxide on the surface. The generated dioxide hydroxyl radical superoxide ion causes oxidation of a different material in contact with the surface of the photocatalyst, thereby decomposing most of the organic materials into carbon dioxide and water. That is, it brings decomposition of most of malodor components in the air, and this is called deodorization. In addition, as the superoxide ion reacts to moisture in the air and generates dioxide, the superoxide may brake and eliminate a cell membrane of bacteria, fungus, and the like on a surface, bringing anti-bacteria, reduction of bacteria, and prevention of contamination. Furthermore, when the organic materials are decomposed, the photocatalyst generates anion due to oxidation and reduction reaction, and this anion brings various healthy effects, such as improving metal stability and bioactivity like breathing, facilitating cell activity, and changing body constitution.

Thus, if a hair treating agent including the photocatalyst is coated onto hair and light is introduced to the hair, deodorization, anti-bacteria, and antifouling of the hair may be achieved.

In addition, according to a hair treatment purpose, the hair treating agent may contain a photocatalyst which is mixed with a perm agent, a hair dying agent, a hair nutrient agent, and the like, or may contain the perm agent, the hair dying agent, the hair nutrient agent, and the like individually except for the photocatalyst. In the case of using a hair treating agent containing a photocatalyst mixed with a hair dying agent, a hair nutrient agent, and the like, it is possible to achieve both effects of the photocatalyst and improves effects of hair treatment, such as perm, dyeing, and nutrition care. In addition, in the case of using a hair treating agent containing a perm agent, a hair dyeing agent, and a hair nutrient agent individually except for a photocatalyst, improved effect of a corresponding hair treatment like perm, dyeing, and nutrition care using light may be expected.

Meanwhile, the light reflection unit 170 may be in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the light diffusion unit 150. Thus, a space between the light reflection unit 170 and the light diffusion unit 150 is formed. Light having passed through the light diffusion unit 150 and hair H is reflected by the light reflection unit 170. Thus, the light is prevented from being emitted to the outside the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 and being lost, and the light is introduced toward the hair H again, maximizing efficiency in treating the hair H.

The light reflection unit 170 may form the exterior appearance of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100. At one end and the other end of the light reflection unit 170, the power switch 135 and the connector 137 electrically connected to the circuit board 133 may be exposed to the outside. Of course, the light reflection unit 170 may be in an openable and closable structure so as to easily roll the hair H around the light diffusion unit 150 and easily unroll the hair H therefrom after completion of perming the hair H.

Meanwhile, a coating layer 151 with a photocatalyst coated thereon may be provided on an outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150.

Here, the photocatalyst is described as the coating layer 151 provided on the outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150, which is a constituent component of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100. In another embodiment, although the photocatalyst is not implemented as the coating layer 151 coated on the outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150, which is a constituent component of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100, it is possible to apply the photocatalyst directly to the hair H coated with a hair treating agent or apply the photocatalyst in the form of a mixture with the hair treating agent.

Meanwhile, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 includes a circuit for driving the light source 100 and power required to drive the light source 100 is supplied, and thus, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 may increase in temperature and may be possibly overheated. Thus, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 may include a temperature detector 191 for monitoring temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100.

In addition, the hair H tends to absorb moisture, so, when humidity is high, the hair H absorbs moisture, thereby expanding about one and a half times. In the case of a hair perm, an agent used in the perming is composed of a component that causes dehydration reaction between the hair H. If humidity is high, the hair absorbs a more amount of humidity, deteriorating a binding force of the hair treating agent to disturb proper perming of the hair H. Thus, in order to efficiently use the hair treating agent, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 may include a humidity detector capable of detecting humidity during the perming.

In addition, protein of the hair H is resistant to acid and vulnerable to alkali. That is, the hair H may be able to remain in the healthiest and stable condition in weak acid of between pH4 to pH6. Thus, in order to prevent damage and color fade of the hair H, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 may include a pH detector for detecting pH of the hair H.

Hereinafter, operation of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described.

First, a photocatalyst may be already coated on the outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150 to form the photocatalyst coating layer 151, may be coated on the hair H which is coated with a hair treating agent, or may be coated on the hair H in the form of a mixture with a hair treating agent. As such, with the photocatalyst being provided, a user may open the light reflection unit 170 and roll the hair H around the outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150.

In the case of using the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 wirely, a user may connect the power cable 139 to the connector 137 and manipulates the power switch 135 to apply power. In the case of using the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 wirelessly, the user manipulates the power switch 135 to apply power.

As such, as power is applied, light is emitted from the light source 110. The light diffusion unit 150 uniformly diffuses light to emit the light toward the hair H. The photocatalyst facilitates photoreaction, thereby treating the hair H.

In this case, light having passed between the hair H is reflected by the light reflection unit 170 and then introduced back to the hair H. Thus, the light is prevented from being emitted to the outside of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100, and thus, a loss of light may be prevented.

During the hair treatment, the temperature detector 191, the humidity detector 193, and the pH detector 195 detect temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100, humidity of the hair H, and pH of the hair H. By monitoring the temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 and the humidity and pH of the hair H in real time, the user may control driving of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 according to the temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 and the humidity and pH of the hair H, or may adjust concentration of the hair treating agent, humidity, and the like.

As such, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment may enhance efficiency in treating the hair H of the user as light emitted from the light source 110 is uniformly diffused, introduced to the hair H, reflected by the light reflection unit 170, and introduced back to the hair H.

Hereinafter, a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to another embodiment will be described. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, like reference numerals are used to refer to like components similar to components described above, and detailed description thereof are omitted. Thus, it components whose description is omitted in the following description should be understood with reference to the above description.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment may be in the form of a hair curler.

That is, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment may include one pair of heads 210, a pair of handles 230, and a hinge part 250. The light source 110 and the light diffusion unit 150 of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment may be installed in at least one head in the pair of the heads 210. A photocatalyst may be coated on one head 210 in which the light source 110 and the light diffusion unit 150 is installed, may be coated directly on hair H which is coated with a hair treating agent, or may be coated on hair H as a mixture with a hair treating agent.

In addition, the light reflection unit 170 for reflecting light having passed the light diffusion unit 150 may be installed in the other head in which the light source 110 and the light diffusion unit 150 are not installed.

Like the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment may be used wirelessly or wirely. A power supply unit 130 may be installed in one handle in the pair of the handles 230. That is, a battery 131 and a circuit board 133 may be installed in one handle in the pair of the handles 230, and a connector 137 and a power switch 135 may be installed in the other handle in which the battery 131 and the circuit board 133 are not installed.

Hereinafter, operation of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described.

First, photocatalyst may be already coated on the outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150 to form the photocatalyst coating layer 151, may be coated on the hair H which is coated with a hair treating agent, or may be coated on the hair H of a user in the form of a mixture with a hair treating agent. As such, with the photocatalyst being provided, a user may manipulate the pair of handles 230 to open the pair of the heads 210. The user may place hair H between the pair of the heads 210 and manipulates the pair of the handle 230 to bring the pair of the heads 210 in contact with each other.

In the case of using the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 wirely, a user may connect the power cable 139 to the connector 137 and manipulates the power switch 135 to apply power. In the case of using the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 wirelessly, the user manipulates the power switch 135 to apply power.

As power is applied, light is emitted from the light source 110. The light diffusion unit 150 uniformly diffuses light to emit the light toward the hair H. The photocatalyst facilitates photoreaction, and the hair H reacts to the light, thereby treating of the hair H. In this case, light having passed between the hair H is reflected by the light reflection unit 170 and then introduced back to the hair H. Thus, the light is prevented from being emitted to the outside of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 200, and thus, a loss of light may be prevented.

During the hair treatment, the temperature detector 191, the humidity detector 193, and the pH detector 195 detect temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100, humidity of the hair H, and pH of the hair H. By monitoring the temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 and the humidity and pH of the hair H in real time, the user may control driving of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 according to the temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 and the humidity and pH of the hair H, or may adjust concentration of the hair treating agent, humidity, and the like.

As such, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment may enhance efficiency of treatment of the hair H as light emitted from the light source 110 is uniformly diffused, incident onto the hair H, reflected by the light reflection unit 170, and introduced back to the hair H.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a third embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 300 according to a third embodiment may be in the form of a hair curler, just like the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. However, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment includes a light source 110 and a light diffusion unit 150 respectively installed in a pair of heads 210, and the pair of heads 210 are opposing to each other, and thus, the configuration of a light reflection unit 170 may be omitted.

Hereinafter, operation of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described.

First, photocatalyst may be already coated on the outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150 to form the photocatalyst coating layer 151, may be coated on the hair H which is coated with a hair treating agent, or may be coated on the hair H of a user in the form of a mixture with a hair treating agent. As such, with the photocatalyst being provided, a user may manipulate the pair of handles 230 to open the pair of the heads 210. The user may place hair H between the pair of the heads 210 and manipulates the pair of the handles 230 to bring the pair of the head 210 in contact with each other.

In the case of using the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 wirely, a user may connect the power cable 139 to the connector 137 and manipulates the power switch 135 to apply power. In the case of using the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 wirelessly, the user manipulates the power switch 135 to apply power.

As power is applied, light is respectively emitted from a pair of light sources 110. A pair of light diffusion units 150 uniformly diffuse a pair of lights to emit the lights toward the hair H. A photocatalyst facilitates photoreaction, and the hair H reacts to the light, thereby treating the hair H.

During the hair treatment, the temperature detector 191, the humidity detector 193, and the pH detector 195 detect temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100, humidity of the hair H, and pH of the hair H. By monitoring the temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 and the humidity and pH of the hair H in real time, the user may control driving of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 according to the temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 and the humidity and pH of the hair H, or may adjust concentration of the hair treating agent, humidity, and the like.

As such, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment may enhance efficiency of treatment of the hair H as lights emitted from one pair of light sources 110 are introduced together to the hair H.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment may be provided in the form of a hair iron.

That is, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment may include a brush 310 and a handle 330. The light source 110 and the light diffusion unit 150 of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment may be installed in the brush 310.

The brush 310 may be composed of a comb 311 and a comb supporting surface 313 for supporting the comb 311, and, in order to uniformly transfer light to every hair H in contact with the brush 310, both the comb 311 and the comb supporting surface 131 may be implemented as a light diffusion unit. A photocatalyst may be coated on the brush 310 in which the light source 110 and the light diffusion unit 150 are installed, or may be coated directly on the hair H.

Here, in the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the light diffusion unit 170 may be omitted so that the brush 310 is exposed to the outside so as to easily roll the hair H.

Like the photoreactive hair treatment apparatuses 100, 20, and 300 according to the first, second, and third embodiments, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment may be used wirelessly or wirely. That is, the battery 131 and the circuit board 133 may be installed in the handle 330, and the connector 137 and the power switch 135 may be installed to be exposed in the outside of the handle 330.

Hereinafter, operation of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

First, photocatalyst may be already coated on the outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150 to form the photocatalyst coating layer 151, may be coated on the hair H which is coated with a hair treating agent, or may be coated on the hair H of a user as a mixture with a hair treating agent. As such, with the photocatalyst being provided, a user may manipulate the handle 330 to roll the hair H around the brush 310.

In the case of using the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 wirely, a user may connect the power cable 139 to the connector 137 and manipulates the power switch 135 to apply power. In the case of using the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 wirelessly, the user manipulates the power switch 135 to apply power.

As power is applied, light is emitted from one pair of light sources 110. One pair of light diffusion units 150 uniformly diffuse light to emit the light toward the hair H. The photocatalyst facilitates photoreaction, and the hair H reacts to the light, thereby treating the hair H.

During the hair treatment, the temperature detector 191, the humidity detector 193, and the pH detector 195 detect temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100, humidity of the hair H, and pH of the hair H. By monitoring the temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 and the humidity and pH of the hair H in real time, the user may control driving of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 according to the temperature of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 100 and the humidity and pH of the hair, or may adjust concentration of the hair treating agent, humidity, and the like.

As such, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment may enhance efficiency of perming the hair H as lights emitted from the pair of light sources are introduced together into the hair H.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a fifth embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment may include a light source 110, a light diffusion unit 150, and a power supply unit 130 a.

The light source 100 may be soldered to a cylindrical or polygonal board 110 a and supported by the board 110 a.

The light diffusion unit 150 may be disposed on an optical path along which light is emitted from the light source 110. The light diffusion unit 150 uniformly diffuses the light emitted from the light source 110. The light diffusion unit 150 may be formed of polycarbonate (PC) having properties such as impact resistance, heat resistance, weather resistance, self-extinguishing property, transparency, etc. The light diffusion unit 15 may be in a cylindrical shape in which the light source 100 is accommodated, and both ends of which are opened to roll the hair H. The both ends of the light diffusion unit 150 may be covered by covers 153.

The covers 153 may be provided as a pair of covers. Protruding part 153 a protruding toward the inside may be formed on respective inner surfaces of the covers 153. The protruding parts 153 a may be respectively inserted into both ends of the board 110 a to rigidly support the light source 110 in the inside of the light diffusion unit 150. If an LED is used as the light source 110, heat emitted from the LED may be transferred to the board 110 a, and the covers 153 and the protruding parts 153 a may be formed of a metal material in order to emit the heat, transferred to the board 110 a, to the outside. The covers 153 and the protruding parts 153 a may be formed of an inexpensive metal material of excellent radiating efficiency, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, etc.

As such, the light source of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment may be in the form of a hair perm rod that is accommodated in the inside of the light diffusion unit 150.

Meanwhile, the power supply source 1302 supplies power to the power source 110. Since the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment is in the form of a hair perm rod, it is preferable that the power supply unit 130 a is portable. That is, the power supply unit 130 a may include a battery 131 a, a battery holder 133 a, a switch 135 a, a first connector 137 a, and a second connector 137 b.

The battery holder 133 a is disposed external to the light diffusion unit 150. The battery 131 a is accommodated in the battery holder 133 a. The battery holder 133 a may be easily detached from and attached to a cover 153. That is, a detachment part 132 may be disposed between an outer surface of a cover 153 facing the battery holder 133 a and an inner surface of the battery holder 133 a facing the cover 153. The detachment part 143 may include a first magnetic substance 132 a coupled to the outer surface of the cover 153 facing the battery holder 133 a, and a second magnetic substance 132 b coupled to the inner surface of the battery holder 133 a facing the light diffusion unit 150. The first magnetic substance 132 a and the second magnetic substance 132 b may be a neodymium magnet having a relatively strong magnetic force. Although not illustrated, in another embodiment, the detachment part 143 may include a first Velcro element coupled to the outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150, and a second Velcro element coupled to the outer surface of the battery holder 133 a.

A secondary battery which is easy to manage and has a high energy density, a light weight, and a great electromotive force, such as a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-polymer battery, a lithium ion battery, and the like may be used as the battery 131 a. Although not illustrated, the battery holder 133 a may include a charge/discharge circuit for charging/discharging the battery 131 a, and a protection circuit for preventing over-charge and over-discharge of the battery 131 a.

The first connector 137 may be installed in the battery holder 133 a and electrically connected to the battery 131 a. The second connector 137 b may be installed in the cover 153 and electrically connected to the board 110 a. As the first connector 137 a is connected to the second connector 137 b, the battery 131 a and the board 110 a may be conducted to each other, applying power to the power source 110. The switch 135 a may be disposed between the second connector 137 b and the board 110 a. The switch 135 a may enable turning on/off power that is applied to the board 110 a through the second connector 137 b.

Meanwhile, as described above, a photocatalyst may be contained in a hair treating agent and coated directly on hair, but, even though the photocatalyst is additionally coated on the light diffusion unit 150, the photocatalyst have the same effects, and thus, an additional photocatalyst layer may be formed on the outer surface of the light diffusion unit 150.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a use example of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, a light diffusion unit 150 of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 600 according to a sixth embodiment may be provided in an approximate hemispherical shape. The light diffusion unit 150 may be concavely recessed so as to make it easy to radiate light toward a user's hair. At least one light source (not shown) may be installed in the inside of the light diffusion unit 150. The light diffusion unit 150 may uniformly diffuses light emitted from a light source (not shown). The light diffusion unit 150 may be formed of polycarbonate (PC) having properties such as impact resistance, heat resistance, weather resistance, self-extinguishing property, transparency, etc.

As such, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 600 according to the sixth embodiment may perform a predetermined treatment as light is emitted from the light source (not shown) and hair reacts to the light.

In this case, the user may select a component to be contained in a hair treating agent according to a hair treatment purpose. The hair treating agent may include at least one of a photocatalyst, a perm agent, a hair dyeing agent, or a hair nutrient agent.

Seventh Embodiment

A light diffusion unit 150 of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 700 according to a seventh embodiment is provided in a hemispherical shape and has a concave surface formed on an inner surface thereof.

The light diffusion unit 150 of the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 700 according to the seventh embodiment may have not just a hemispherical shape, but also any shape capable of emitting light toward a user's hair, for example, a hair cap shape as shown in FIG. 12.

Eighth Embodiment

The photoreactive hair treatment apparatuses 600 and 700 according to the sixth and seventh embodiments disclose that the light diffusion unit 150 surrounds the circumference of a user head and radiates light toward the entire head of a user.

A photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 800 according to an eighth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 may be in a shape in which a light diffusion unit 150 emits light to a partial region of the user head, and an actuator 150 a in the form of a rotary actuator or a linear actuator alone or in combination rotates and moves around the user head to radiate light toward

Ninth Embodiment

The above-described embodiments disclose embodiments in which a light source 110 is disposed in the inside of a light diffusion unit 150 and light passing through a light diffusion unit 150 is radiated toward a user's hair.

A light source 110 of a photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 500 a, 600 a, 700 a, and 800 a according to a ninth embodiment may be disposed outside a light diffusion unit 150. In this case, the light source 110 and the light diffusion unit 150 may be connected by a light transfer means. Light emitted from the light source 110 may be transferred to the light diffusion unit 150, and the light having passed through the light diffusion unit 150 may be radiated toward a user's hair.

As such, the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 500 a, 600 a, 700 a, and 800 a according to the ninth embodiment does not limit the shape and output of the light source 110 since the light source is disposed outside the light diffusion unit 150, and various light sources, such as an LED, a laser diode, a laser, a halogen lamp, and the like, may be used.

In addition, since the light source 110 in the photoreactive hair treatment apparatus 500 a, 600 a, 700 a, and 800 a according to the ninth embodiment is disposed outside the light diffusion unit 150, a portable power source using a battery may be used as the power supply unit 130 b and a commercial alternating power source may be used.

It should be understood that the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated herein. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made thereto within the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the modifications and changes will fall within the scope of the present invention so long as they are apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A photoreactive hair treatment apparatus including: a light source configured to emit light; and a power supply unit configured to supply power to the light source, wherein the light source is disposed to emit the light toward hair coated with a hair treating agent.
 2. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hair treating agent contains a photocatalyst.
 3. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hair treating agent contains a perm agent.
 4. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hair treating agent contains a perm agent and a photocatalyst.
 5. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hair treating agent contains a hair dyeing agent.
 6. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hair treating agent contains a photocatalyst and a hair dyeing agent.
 7. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hair treating agent contains a hair nutrient agent.
 8. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hair treating agent contains a photocatalyst and a hair nutrient agent.
 9. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light diffusion unit disposed on an optical path and configured to uniformly diffuse the light.
 10. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a photocatalyst layer coated on an outer surface of the light diffusion unit.
 11. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 9, wherein the light diffusion unit is provided in a stick shape, an outer surface of which is to be rolled around by the hair.
 12. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a light reflection unit configured to prevent the light, having passed through the light diffusion unit, from being emitted to an outside, and reflect the light toward the hair.
 13. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 9, wherein the power supply unit comprises: a battery; and a circuit board on which a charge/discharge circuit of the battery and a driver for driving the light source are mounted, thereby connecting the battery and the light source.
 14. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 9, wherein the power supply unit comprises: an external power source; a power cable connecting the external light source to the light source; and a connector connecting the light source and the power cable.
 15. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 9, wherein the light source is disposed inside the light diffusion unit and emits the light toward an outside of the light diffusion unit, and wherein the power supply unit comprises: a battery disposed external to the light diffusion unit; a battery holder in which the battery is accommodated; a first connector electrically connected to the battery; and a second connector exposed to an outside of the light diffusion unit, and electrically connected to the light source such that the second connector is connected to the light source, thereby connecting the light source and the battery.
 16. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a detachment part enabling the battery holder to be detached from the light diffusion unit so as to maintain the hair rolled around the light diffusion unit.
 17. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light diffusion unit disposed around a head of a user and configured to diffuse the light.
 18. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light diffusion unit is provided in a hemispherical shape having a concave surface which is recessed facing the head of the user.
 19. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light diffusion unit is provided in a hair cap shape which is capable of being put on the head of the user.
 20. The photoreactive hair treatment apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light diffusion unit is provided so as to emit the light toward a part of the head of the user, and wherein the hair treatment apparatus further comprises an actuator configured to rotate or linearly drive the light diffusion unit. 